Are you planning a tent camping trip to Torreon? We've got you covered. Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Torreon, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Torreon's most popular destinations.
The picnic ground is located 10 miles northeast of Grants at an elevation of approximately 7,437 feet. Ponderosa pine, pinon, and juniper trees provide shade and some privacy for visitors. There is a group picnic area that was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Remember to pay attention to road conditions and your vehicle's abilities before driving off of the main road.
Traveler
Unwisely, we decided to go here in a large RV. DON’T!
Ranger
Stayed in site 12 which was wedged between handicapped spot next to toilets and next RV over. Very small area although other campsites did not all appear so small.
Nice dog-friendly hike on wajiji trail which begins from campground, crosses road and is out and back of~3.2 mi in total. Otherwise, dogs not allowed on trails in park.
As noted here, the road can be rough, and we accessed Chaco off Hwy 550 (we were told that accessing Chaco from other direction can be even more dicey if roads are wet). Road was washboard and beware of steel protrusions on sides of road which can be sharp. We made it fine in camper van but went slow.
Guide
Excellent location and views, just need some lo g term resident clean up or eviction at entrance. We stayed for one night. Great set up and next to a brewery/restaurant in wish we would have visited. Clean bathrooms and nice sites.
Traveler
We just happened upon this 1st come 1st serve campground & so glad we did! The camp host "Brad" was so very nice & helpful. He gave us info on all the things to do and see in the Jamez area (which is alot) Our campsite #12 was really nice. It has a large covered pavilion (not all sites have the covered pavilions) with oversized picnic table & a short path down to a private area at the Jamez River (which is really more like a creek) from our site. We left our chairs down there & frequently enjoyed relaxing there. The area is scenic & campground was very clean. There are water pumps outside the bathrooms. The cost for us was $5 per night using our America the Beautiful Senior Pass. This is a great home base for visiting the area. Would defiantly visit again!
ScoutPulled in on Sunday afternoon and there was no staff. Parked and paid $20 Monday morning. They have power and water. Dump station. I did not ask about WiFi.
Traveler
This campsite is beautiful and right next to the lake. Perfect for some chill camping. There are multiple clearing along this road. Each one is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups. The clearings are far enough apart that you can make some noise without bothering the other campers. You need a bit of clearance to be able to drive the road but not much as my Crosstrek did it great. Even on July 4th this site wasn’t busy. We only saw one other camper since most people choose to pay for a campground right on the lake
Guide
I live in Albuquerque, and this road is one of my constant summer repeats. You got water, shade, privacy and an adventure. It's about 1.5 hours from Abq and it takes you through the Gilman Tunnels which is always a fun stop and view. The road is a little bumpy and rocky, but there's probably 100 dispersed camping spots. There's ones right on the river, in forrest spots or meadows, you choose! There are no bathrooms, water, or cell service. Everyone has got their spot in Jemez, but this road offers endless possibilities, for all types of campers!
LegendVista Linda NM : Adjacent to the highway. Don’t be fooled, though. Beautiful, peaceful, clean, and the most helpful host.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 Security: No Usage during visit: the host tells me that usually fills up Site Privacy: good Site Spacing: very good Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: First, come first Campground Noise: Quiet, campground Outside Road Noise: along the highway. Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no, Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: yes Generators: allowed Bathroom: very clean pit toilets. Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes. Cell Service (AT&T): no bars Setting: beautiful setting. Along in Canyon wall. Would love to stay here Recent Weather: 70s during the day Solar: very good Insects: none during our visit this time of Host: yes sky Rig Size: around 40 feet Sites: many nice sites. See the pictures. Site seven was our favorite site. Very nice. Flowing Creek adjacent to that site.
LegendThis campground is not easy to get to, so get your head around that. The last 5 miles of the unpaved road getting to the park boundary will be a challenge, so take it slllooow. It is worth it, and you’ll have fewer crowds at this amazing place.
The campground is similar to many national parks, with nicely spaced out, no hook up campsites. The toilets are clean and well maintained, flush toilets, and sinks, but no showers. Water is available throughout the campground, and there’s a big sink for dumping your dish water.
The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink, but there was no LTE or phone service to speak of.
Hiking in the park is simply stunning. With the ruins of the Chaco Culture all around, you can pick your adventure or simply drive the park loop road, stopping to wander through the remains of this vibrant place that was once the heart of a vast cultural empire.
Cycling is also a great option -- bike/ hike your way around the park from the campground. The visitor’s center is good, and worth spending some time in. The closest town with services is a long long way away, in any direction, so come prepared with your supplies, food, etc.
There is a convenience store/ gas station about 20 miles out, but the drive back along the rough road will take an hour in an RV.
This park is so worth a visit and the campground makes it easy to stay for as long as you can to soak up the solitude of this simply amazing place!
GuideGallo Campground is the place to stay to visit the Chaco Canyon ruins. It's very small and very difficult to get to given the state of the dirt roads through tribal lands. Unless an RV is designed for this type of environment, it would be better to stay elsewhere and drive in with an AWD vehicle. The location is remote so be sure to bring drinking water and all the food you need. There is very little water in the region, so the facilities are limited. There are bathrooms and a place to wash dishes, but nothing else. The camp hosts are kind and helpful. We were able to view the Milky Way on one night of our stay. The visitor center is nearby, but most of the artifacts have been removed for safe keeping as there are issues with the building. They have an excellent selection of books on Chaco to purchase. The trails are well kept and closely watched by the rangers due to the sacred nature of the fragile structures. It was well worth any inconvenience for the privilege of seeing this amazing, sacred place.
GuideI didn’t realize some sites are for RVs and some are for tents. I sleep in the back of my pick up truck and was stuck in the middle of RVs running their generators. Still loved the area. Great hiking right off the campground. Nice restrooms. 
ScoutThis camp spot is one of the best free camp sites in New Mexico. Would definitely go again. Highly recommend to anyone who loves to camp and drive four wheelers
Ranger
Great quiet dispersed camp ground. There were plenty of spots to choose from. The surrounding area is gorgeous! The camp spot is nestled in the trees and has plenty of shade for the summer months. Currently in April the picnic area was closed.
Legend
Owners Wayne & Yolanda have created a space for camping with desert all around. It was a great place to see the annular eclipse and , most importantly, a safe place to leave our trailer so we didn't have to take it on the rough road into Chaco Culture Heritage Site.
There are no amenities and during the eclipse we were charged 40.00/nt. However, the space was fairly level and the owners were lovely folks, very hospitable. I'd definitely recommend utilizing their evolving campground while visiting Chaco.
LegendThere are many campgrounds that we simply love, and we can’t come within 50 miles of this place without staying at least one night. Tucked into the Jemez Valley just south of the town of Jemez Springs and the nearby Carson National Forest, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Bandelier National Monument, this campground offers a great place to camp for a night or stay for a week.
Some of the sites have the full shade structure over the picnic table and campfire ring area, others offer shade under the trees along the river bank. There’s lots of great sun for solar power in the valley but none of the sites have electricity. It’s still one of the best campsites for $10 a night. The toilets are clean vault style and are regularly serviced by the nearby park service crews. As the name implies, the scenery is stunning and you can find lots of hiking in the area, including trails that lead to nearby warm and hot springs.
You can also get a permit to visit the Jemez reservation (Red Canyon) hiking trails here as well -- definitely worth it. Also check out the locals who prepare food at the stalls across the road, got some good enchiladas there. But probably the best food around is going to be Los Ojos Saloon. Now, we don’t normally single out businesses in these reviews, but this one is special. Definitely get Olgas Chile Rellenos, as they are among the best we’ve had...anywhere!
With 3 hot springs resorts in town, your soaking desires can be serviced locally or within a short drive. Back down the valley at the reservation visitor’s center there’s a small museum and a cafe offering a very respectable spiced mocha and gas station where you can get a pizza. The suburban sprawl of Bernalillo is just about 30 minutes away in case you need something beyond the convenience store level.
Ranger
Stopped on our way to Moab.
Needed an overnight stay and wanted hookups to dump and get some water.
Theresa’s worked for us. Theresa was really nice and we came in at dark.
$30 got us a pull through site with water sewer and 50 amp electric. 30 amp also available.
Spot was gravel/ground up asphalt, bit actually close to level.
It was chilly (low 30s) at night but water still turned on.
There is some highway noise but we got a good nights sleep.
Legend20 min to Albuquerque
TravelerThe campground is beautiful! Has great rv spots, and having the little pagoda to ourselves was so fun! Bathrooms are nice, has lots of trails, and has good access to trashcans. I was bummed about the “river access” because you really have to blaze your own trail through tall brush to actually get to the river. But the views were amazing! My only complaint - this place NEEDS a new camp host, badly! When we pulled in (at Noon) the host told us we needed to sign papers and pay $8 for parking our extra car in our RV spot. He told us he would come by with the paperwork. Well he didnt, so we went to the check in station and knocked. No answer and it was locked. So we went to the camp host camper to knock…DISGUSTING. Huge piles of dog feces around the camper. It looked like the dogs were pooping inside and it was getting brushed out the door into piles around the door. Gross trailer, garbage everywhere. We knocked anyways and no answer, so we hurried away to get away from the smell. We went back to the check in station around 2 and again at 4:40 and still no answer. My advice, get a new host with a newer camper who will respect the place.
RangerAll have to say is WOW! We had an amazing view of the Sandia Mountains from our site. This was an overflow area of the park so it had no hookups but the park does have full hookups. However, the primitive sites and overflow area, IMHO, are the best and have the best views.
Guide
Nice campground, plenty of spots to camp. Reservation system ran til the end of September, then Firstcome Firstserved came into effect. No phone signal for my Mint mobile. Fires allowed, after the peak summer fire season.
GuideGreat place on a Tuesday, hardly anyone there and campsites close to the water. Great for sleeping, I didn't bother pitching my tent and slept out under the shelter. Cool breezes came down the valley in the evening and overnight. It's dark in the canyon in the morning and late afternoon. Water available.
ScoutThe road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp. Fire pits set up, the first area is a big open space with a beautiful cliff view, we had it to ourselves but could be busy, if you drive further up there are areas to camp that would have more privacy if needed. Very quiet and peaceful. It does get cold at night since at approximately 8,000 elevation.
Guide
We found a secluded spot, not on the river. It was nice due to the area being overwhelmed with people. Overall it was enjoyable but can be a long winding journey for those that are impatient.
ScoutLots of camping along this forest road. Be prepared... Zero cell service. Don't care what the main post says.
TravelerThis area has multiple free camping spaces. If you follow the road, you can find the prefect camping for you. We saw from damp camping areas to big groups spaces. There is a fire restriction to gas stove only and there is no bathrooms or potable water.
Guide
It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area. We were just thankful for a place to stop. Lots of sage brush and we had a full moon that night and the area was lit up l, bright as a cloudy day!
TravelerWe went there in a last minute reservation to have a place to sleep. It is a nice campground to spend a night or two as it does not have showers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Torreon, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Torreon, NM is Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88 with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Torreon, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
